title: Retromolar foramen and canal: a comprehensive review on its anatomy and clinical applications.
abstract: The retromolar foramen (RMF) and retromolar canal (RMC) are the anatomical structures of the mandible located in retromolar fossa behind the third molar tooth. This foramen and canal contain neurovascular structures which provide accessory/additional innervation to the mandibular molars and the buccal area. These neurovascular contents of the canal gain more importance in medical and dental practice, because these elements are vulnerable to damage during placement of osteointegrated implants, endodontic treatment and sagittal split osteotomy surgeries and a detailed knowledge of this anatomical variation would be vital in understanding failed inferior alveolar nerve blockage, spread of infection and also metastasis. Although few studies have been conducted in the past showing the incidence and types in different population groups, a lacunae in comprehensive review of this structure is lacking. Though this variation posed challenging situations for the practicing surgeons, it has been quite neglected and the incidence of it is not well presented in all the textbooks. Hence, we made an attempt to provide a consolidated review regarding variations and clinical applications of the RMF and RMC.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of medicine and health sciences, UCSI university school of medicine, Jalan Menara Gading, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. potu_kumar2000@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kumar Potu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jagadeesan
authors.forename: K M R
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rao Sirasanagandla
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001160:Arterioles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005006:Ethnicity; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008963:Molar / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012737:Sex Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D014699:Venules / Q000033:anatomy & histology
keywords: Canal rétromolaire; Failed inferior alveolar nerve blockage; Foramen rétromolaire; Incidence; Retromolar canal; Retromolar foramen; Review of literature; Revue de la littérature; Variation; Échec du bloc du nerf alvéolaire inférieur